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JOHNSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Wednesday, Gov. Bill Lee made his way to two significant sites in Northeast Tennessee as part of his statewide journey commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
This tour involves Lee traveling to each of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
During his visit, Lee stopped by Maymead Farm in Johnson County and the Isaiah 117 House in Carter County. At both locations, he was warmly welcomed by local farmers, residents, and government officials. Lee engaged with the community, emphasizing America’s storied past and Tennessee’s influential role in that narrative.
Discussions prominently featured the state’s agricultural heritage and historical significance. Maymead Farm, his initial stop, boasts a lineage dating back to 1746 as a land grant farm, maintained by the same family for 12 generations, as noted by Wiley Rorak, the farm’s president.
Lee remarked that his decision to begin the Northeast Tennessee tour at Maymead was driven by the farm’s deep-rooted historical significance and its longstanding contributions to Tennessee’s legacy.
“As we celebrate 250 years of America, it is relevant that we do it at a farm that’s been part of the agriculture industry of this state before we were even a state,” Lee told News Channel 11.
Rorak told News Channel 11 he was excited for Lee to visit the farm in remembrance of the help Lee gave during times of agricultural hardship.
“Whether it is recovering from Helene, there was a tremendous effort out here today,” Rorak said. “The county government, state government, industry functioned seamlessly to get these problems fixed. And it wasn’t easy.”
Lee also visited the Isaiah 117 House in Elizabethton, where he spoke about the importance of preserving Tennessee’s agricultural legacy and recognizing the people who shaped the state.
The Isaiah 117 House is an organization that works alongside the Department of Childrens Services to provide support to foster children who have been removed from their homes.
Lee visited the first Isaiah 117 House when it was being built in his run for governor.
“Now they’re all across the state, they’re in multiple states, working to serve not only Tennesseans, but other Americans,” Lee said. “It’s a remarkable example of people who are passionate, who lean in to serve vulnerable people in their community, like foster kids. And, so we thought it’d be fitting we went there before we got elected. We’re now partners with them.”
Lee reflected on recent relief efforts since Helene and said conservation and supporting farms continue to be a priority for his administration.
“There’s still work to be done,” Lee said. “But I’m very proud of the way this community pulled together in the middle of a tragedy.”